In the afternoon of 11 December 1996, Singleton in the upper Hunter Valley experienced a severe storm. Hailstones as large as 7 cm penetrated roofs and smashed windows for a period up to fifteen minutes exposing houses to flooding from subsequent large downpours of rain. The storm damaged 700 houses in Singleton and surrounding areas. Approximately 2000 vehicles were seriously damaged and more than 50 cars written off completely.

Damage also occurred to crops; grape, barley, lucerne and other market garden enterprises.

The Insurance Council of Australia estimated the 1996 damage at $49 million, with the 2011 estimated normalised cost of $149 million.